Boys Weightlifting: Dominic DeCesare, Seminole Ridge

Boys Weightlifting: Dominic DeCesare, Seminole Ridge

Sun Sentinel

Year: Senior Weight: 129-pound division Statistics: 475-pound total lift, (245 bench, 230 clean and jerk) Season highlights: For the second consecutive year, DeCesare placed in the top four in the Class 2A state tournament. He finished third last year and came in fourth in the 129-pound weight division this year with a 475-pound total. Comment: DeCesare was the highest finisher at state for a Palm Beach County lifter. In the past two years, the Seminole Ridge senior has had to deal with the death of his parents and an accidental explosion that burned 7 percent of his body. He overcame a back injury that sidelined him for two months this year and he wasn't sure he would make it back to state. He still managed to record a personal-best 230-pound clean-and-jerk. "[Dom] has been through a lot and has great determination obviously. He loves being part of the team and he loves being around the guys. His ability to come back from all of that stuff just shows what kind of athlete he is," said Seminole Ridge coach Justin Hilliker Athlete's comment: "After I got hurt, I didn't want to let anybody down. It was pretty gratifying knowing what I went through the past two years and was able to make it back to state. Finishing fourth was pretty cool. I didn't think I was going to place at all."

Year: Senior Weight: 129-pound division Statistics: 475-pound total lift, (245 bench, 230 clean and jerk) Season highlights: For the second consecutive year, DeCesare placed in the top four in the Class 2A state tournament. He finished third last year and came in fourth in the 129-pound weight division this year with a 475-pound total. Comment: DeCesare was the highest finisher at state for a Palm Beach County lifter. In the past two years, the Seminole Ridge senior has had to deal with the death of his parents and an accidental explosion that burned 7 percent of his body. He overcame a back injury that sidelined him for two months this year and he wasn't sure he would make it back to state. He still managed to record a personal-best 230-pound clean-and-jerk. "[Dom] has been through a lot and has great determination obviously. He loves being part of the team and he loves being around the guys. His ability to come back from all of that stuff just shows what kind of athlete he is," said Seminole Ridge coach Justin Hilliker Athlete's comment: "After I got hurt, I didn't want to let anybody down. It was pretty gratifying knowing what I went through the past two years and was able to make it back to state. Finishing fourth was pretty cool. I didn't think I was going to place at all." (Sun Sentinel)

Year: Senior Weight: 129-pound division Statistics: 475-pound total lift, (245 bench, 230 clean and jerk) Season highlights: For the second consecutive year, DeCesare placed in the top four in the Class 2A state tournament. He finished third last year and came in fourth in the 129-pound weight division this year with a 475-pound total. Comment: DeCesare was the highest finisher at state for a Palm Beach County lifter. In the past two years, the Seminole Ridge senior has had to deal with the death of his parents and an accidental explosion that burned 7 percent of his body. He overcame a back injury that sidelined him for two months this year and he wasn't sure he would make it back to state. He still managed to record a personal-best 230-pound clean-and-jerk. "[Dom] has been through a lot and has great determination obviously. He loves being part of the team and he loves being around the guys. His ability to come back from all of that stuff just shows what kind of athlete he is," said Seminole Ridge coach Justin Hilliker Athlete's comment: "After I got hurt, I didn't want to let anybody down. It was pretty gratifying knowing what I went through the past two years and was able to make it back to state. Finishing fourth was pretty cool. I didn't think I was going to place at all."